Davidson makes it four in a row as Marshwood wins second straight Class A title

By JOHN COCHIN

Sanford News

fosters.com

By JOHN COCHIN

Sanford News

Posted Feb. 17, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By JOHN COCHIN

Sanford News

Posted Feb. 17, 2013 at 3:15 AM

SANFORD, Maine — The Marshwood High School wrestling team wasted no time showing it meant business at the Maine Class A Wrestling Championships Saturday afternoon.

Ten wrestlers picked up wins in their opening matches and six of them went on to take individual titles. The Hawks totally dominated the day, placing first with 201 points, well ahead of second-place Massabesic with 113 points. It was the second state title in as many years for the Hawks, who last year ended the reign of Noble, which had won state championships the previous three years and 11 total since 1999.

Eastern Maine powerhouse Skowhegan finished third with 105 points followed by Noble, which came in fourth with 80 points.

One of the highlights of the championships was the performance of Marshwood's Tyler Davidson, who became the 16th Maine wrestler to win a championship in each of his four high school years. He picked up his fourth title by posting a 10-1 win over Massabesic's Lucas Dion in the 120-pound bout. He is the second Marshwood wrestler to win four championships. Former Hawk Jon Hussey won state championships from 2005-2008.

Rounding out the top eight teams were Brewer, fifth with 44 points, Mount Blue (40), Nokomis (35) and Windham (30).

“We practiced hard Sunday through Wednesday, averaging three hours per practice, and were careful not to wear anyone down,” Rix said. “By winning 10 matches in the first round showed how determined they were to take another state championship.”

Of the six Hawks who won championships Saturday, five had come in first at the regionals two weeks ago. They were Davidson, Nick Janes (138), Jackson Howarth (145) ,Cody Hughes (152) and Brett Gerry (182). The sixth champion, 132-pound Trevor Smith, had finished second in the regionals.

Davidson credits his coach with preparing them well for Saturday's championships.

“He didn't let the snow days slow us down,” he said. “He kept working us hard with a lot of wrestling. He kept pushing us hard and it paid off. We were really ready.”

Davidson said he didn't feel any pressure trying for his fourth straight title.

“You have to go in with a positive attitude,” Davidson said. “You can't have any doubt in your mind about not winning. You have to go into it knowing you have no other choice but to win.”

Davidson wrapped up the title by defeating Dion for the second straight time after losing to him twice during the regular season.

Noble, which had finished second to Marshwood in the regionals, fell to a distant fourth after getting off to a slow start when Jacob Guimond, who had placed first in the 195-pound class in the regionals, was eliminated after losing two of his first three matches.